For that reason, and in order to offer NomenClature that speaks not to archaic, obsolete "Positions", but rather to Skill Sets that accurately reflect the dynamic Changes of the 21st Century Game and the Roles they have spawned, I have undertaken to craft Terminology that is designed to break Skill Sets down as they really are.

Defensive Coordinators have, since Time Immemorial, employed highly creative terminology in devising Defenses and in designating Assignments. In that Spirit, I have admittedly indulged myself considerably in devising the following NomenClature. It is undeniably colorful, but I like to think that there's an underlying Logic, as well:

Dragons ~ This is my terminology for Players who may've played either Defensive End or what you Earthlings call "OutSide LineBacker" in College, and who in any case possess the Size to player either at the next level. They would generally be deployed as Ends in a 43 or as "OutSide LineBackers" in a 34, and have even been known to get deployed as Interior Rushers in the Nascar Package. The Prototype would generally be somewhere around 6050/265 or so.

Of course, where and how any given Coach chooses to deploy his Players is his Business. Players that I characterize as Dragons may often or even routinely line up anywhere, on any given Down. My only purpose is simply to identify what I perceive as Skill Sets, to distinguish types, if you will, and perhaps create a universal Point of Reference.

Dragons in a 43 are Defensive Linemen, but Dragons in a 34, for instance, are off the Line and may be asked to drop into Pass Coverage from time to time, so that capacity ~ observed or inferred is going to be part of my Evaluations.

When evaluating Dragons, this is how I break down the Attributes to which I pay most particular attention:

Power: Above all: Core Power. Torso Power is important, but Core Power, from the Knees to the Ribs, is absolutely crucial. All the upper body strength in the world still fails if you can't dig in your heels. But Core Power enables a Defensive Lineman to project Power in the Passing Game and to reject Power in the Running Game.

Agility: Launch Velocity, Acceleration, and above all: Fluidity or Core Agility. Core Agility is even more essential to sustained good Health ~ and to sustained good FootBall ~ than Core Power. The ability to react with Serpentine smoothness is a tremendous asset in all Aspects of the Game, and certainly in the Hand to Hand Combat that characterizes Trench Warfare. All the Power in the World goes only so far if you're stiff and lumbering out there.

Intangibles:Processing Speed and Motor. Processing Speed or Diagnostic Velocity is about how quickly and effectively one Reads & Reacts to how the Rapidly Roiling Tactical LandScape effects Blocking Schemes, and Motor is about Endurance and Drive: How much Work has been put into Conditioning, and how it manifests itself.

Combat Skills: Mediocre but potentially Effective. Insufficient WingSpan and mediocre Mechanics, but exceptional Paw Power and phenomenal Persistence. If he can develop his Mechanics, he'll compete effectively enough.

Intangibles: Phenomenal. His Field Vision is only Competitive, but his Motor is sensational.

Run Defense: Competitive. He's best at The Point of Attack, where his Impressive Power and extraordinary Motor make the greatest Impact. He's not especially effective disrupting the BackField, however, or in Pursuit.

Pass Rush: Competitive, but most of his Sacks and most of his Disruption are going to be on Effort. His sensational Motor will enable'm to produce Pressure against mediocre Linemen, but I fear that he'll often be Shut Down.

Markus Golden Prospectus

I love this kid, but I get the same sense as with his equally admirable former TeamMate, Michael Sam: I don't see enough Agility for him to consistently compete, nor enough Power to overcome that.

He is such a furious Competitor that I believe he'll force his way onto a Roster, and ultimately earn substantial Snaps.

He's inspiring, and I reckon that he's the kind of kid whose Impact will be felt far more in the Collective Soul of the Team than in his Production. And that has genuine Value in this savage, emotional Game.

Frankly, I see Late Round Talent, far less than my Draft Brethren seem to see...But I believe that he'll make enough of an Impact through Sheer Ferocity and enough of an Intangible Impact to jack up his Value a couple of Rounds.Grateful Thanks, as always, for the crucial Work done by the folks at Draft BreakDown!!

Yank Rank: Contender ~ OverRated!!

﻿Market Value

2nd/3rd Round﻿

﻿Yankee Grade

4th/5th Round﻿

Please do Note: This and all Evaluations issued by this Site are produced by a ludicrously unqualified Amateur, privy to not even the tiniest fraction of Coach's Tape, Scouting Expertise, Face to Face Interviewing, Experience, or Inside Information enjoyed by the Professionals. As such, anything put forth is certainly misinformed, euphonious, derivative Tripe, and should be rejected out'f hand and indeed shunned by all men and women of Good Will!! I'm trying to discern Power, Agility, Combat Skills, and far more abstract, esoteric Concepts such as Processing Speed and Motor, and I'm trying to do so based almost entirely on a fascinating fusion of Tape, Combine Numbers, and Pro Days, while trying to attenuate my findings based on Allowances for Competition Level, Scheme, Concept, Context, and, above all: Trajectory!!

None of this is even remotely a Complaint, mind you, but rather a Warning!! Caveat Emptor!!